Office of Estate and Gift Planning

Throughout our long history, Pacific students have benefited from the thoughtful planning of supporters like you. Your support enables us to:

Make a Pacific education possible for passionate, ambitious and intellectual students who would otherwise lack the funding to do so.

Create ideal teaching and learning environments.

Recruit top-quality, student-centered professors.

Fund groundbreaking faculty research to the benefit of all.

Planned gifts play a transformational role in helping our students reach their potential. Our experienced staff is happy to help you leave a lasting impact at Pacific that prepares tomorrow's students become leaders in their careers and communities.

Not sure how to get started?

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The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.

A gift of real estate may be a perfect way to honor your loved one. When you make a gift of real estate you have owned longer than a year, you obtain a federal income tax charitable deduction equal to the property's full fair market value.

You may make your donor advised fund a beneficiary of your retirement plan assets. You could then designate your loved ones as the donor advisors, which would allow them to make recommendations on what charitable organizations to support through the fund.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to University of the Pacific a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to University of the Pacific [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor-advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much money (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Pacific or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate, or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the gift tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and receive an immediate federal income tax charitable deduction. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Pacific as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and receive an immediate federal income tax charitable deduction. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Pacific as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Pacific where you agree to make a gift to Pacific and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

Closely Held Stock

If you want to remain in control of your closely held stock during your lifetime, consider a gift in your will or living trust.

A portion of the distributions from commercial annuities is subject to income tax for non-charitable beneficiaries. Naming Pacific as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your commercial annuity will allow us to receive the assets you designate to us completely tax-free.

The full value of your IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or other qualified plans is subject to federal and state estate taxes at your death and the distributions from these accounts are subject to federal and applicable state income taxes. Instead, consider naming a charity as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your plan.